quote:Originally posted by Buel:Which one of you guys was the intense Scotsman with the kilt?

That was me!

Saw Aileen and Dick Gordon off to Airport and looking forward to seeing Dick Gordon in Glasgow before going down to Pontefract to see Charlie again.

Paul23Member

Posts: 771From: South East, UKRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 10-16-2012 04:34 AM
It was interesting on the ticket checking, not much at the entrances but they seemed to be checking a lot more in the photo session queues this year.

BuelMember

Posts: 113From: UKRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 10-16-2012 05:14 AM
Ah, Robert! It's good to put a face to a name!

Oh and reference the Ed Mitchell lecture, just so you know, the term 'Sixth sense' is not just used up in Scotland, I believe it is used elsewhere too. Have you seen a certain Bruce Willis film?

Is the guy who had the 'audacity' to correct Charlie Duke about the weight of the lunar rock on here too?

Autographica was good and I, for one, didn't mind that some people were getting in to the lectures for free. How DARE they learn for free eh? Ha ha. Seriously though I can sort of see some people's frustration but it didn't bother me.

One critisism I will offer though — Charlie Duke and Don Thomas both wanted to show a slide show presentation and Charlie Duke even asked the female helper with the bandana but she didn't even acknowledge his request.

It wouldn't be too much trouble to provide a projector I imagine?

robert_lMember

Posts: 95From: Dundee,ScotlandRegistered: Jul 2008

posted 10-16-2012 06:32 AM
I could only attend Sunday but arrived late Saturday night and was great to meat Charlie in the bar (!) where he seemed to be orbiting as talked to different people!

So Sunday I attended all the astronaut talks and I only wish they had a break, I was trying to go for a drink when Bob Springer wanted to tell me about his visit to Scotland. Managed to get a bottle of orange to drink as did not want to end up with a headache. A tea break next year would be a good idea.

Last year they did show pictures but some of the astronauts had PowerPoint problems.

Looking forward to meeting Dick Gordon again tomorrow in Glasgow before we go back down to Pontefract for Charlie Duke.

gliderpilotukMember

Posts: 3043From: London, UKRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 10-16-2012 06:56 AM

quote:Originally posted by Buel:I, for one, didn't mind that some people were getting in to the lectures for free. How DARE they learn for free eh? Ha ha. Seriously though I can sort of see some people's frustration but it didn't bother me.

It's not about "frustration"; it's about decency, manners and, above all, providing the organisers with a return that enables them to put on the next show, with even better guests. Compared to the cost of autographs, the entrance and lecture fees are a pittance, so there's no excuse to try and get a "freebie", and equally, there's a need for better policing of attendees.

OWLMember

Posts: 68From: United KingdomRegistered: Aug 2007

posted 10-16-2012 07:30 AM
Sounds like schadenfreude. Let us keep some dignity with the posts.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 10-16-2012 08:04 AM
Couldn't make it this year. But hope to see some of you in Pontefract?

YankeeClipperMember

Posts: 216From: Dublin, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2011

posted 10-16-2012 12:27 PM

quote:Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:It's not about "frustration"; it's about decency, manners...

Agreed.

Some people seem to forget all sense of decorum and good manners at these events and engage in a host of unpleasant behaviours e.g. queue-skipping, interrogation, time monopolisation, 'pap' photography etc.

Ed Mitchell's two talks were excellent and quite different from each other and were definite highlights of the weekend. The Sunday talk was slightly marred by someone who not only misquoted an interview between Neil Armstrong and Patrick Moore on star visibility, but proceeded to waste 5 minutes not listening to Ed's answer and then basically trying to tell the Apollo moonwalker with the MIT Doctorate in Astronautics that he didn't see what he saw while in space!

The only real negative observation was the sometimes heavy-handed over the top approach of the minders of certain guests. I think I prefer Spacefest in that regard as it is usually far easier there to have pleasant chats with astronauts i.e. 1-2 minutes off-and-on over the course of a weekend. Sure the business element is a priority but rudeness to the public does not encourage repeat attendance.

Totally agree with that. However, I thought Ed dealt with him comprehensively!

There was a similar character in Charlie Duke's lecture who corrected him on the weight of the lunar rock he was talking about.

robert_l, you asked some good questions!

james wattMember

Posts: 25From: englandRegistered: Sep 2011

posted 10-17-2012 04:16 PM
I went to Autographica on Saturday for the first time and have to say I was not very impressed! I did not find the staff very friendly. There was something in the air that made me feel I did not want to be there.

posted 10-17-2012 04:33 PM
I flew over to Autographica on Saturday from Ireland, what can I say other than it was a fantastic event!

It was only my 3rd Autographica, but they get better and better every time. Congratulations to Dave and all the organisers for another fantastic show.

Only got an autograph from Dick Gordon, as my main aim was to get speaking to each of the Apollo astronauts personally - I'm currently the Space Sciences writer for my college newspaper (University College Dublin's 'University Observer').

I found Ed Mitchell to be very accommodating with his time, a lovely man and his Saturday lecture was brilliant also. Charlie Duke and Dick Gordon were true gents as expected. (Gordon's Saturday lecture was also intriguing). Buzz was a bit harder to get to know but I think he warmed to me and vice versa, a nice man with a lot of brilliant ideas for the future of manned space exploration!

I did the Ed, Charlie, Dick and Buzz photoshoots and they all came out brilliantly - the organisation was top notch and the new speedy system of having them ready for collection immediately was absolutely fantastic.

All in all, a superb event - once again the Hilton venue in Birmingham was 1st class. Can't wait for Autographica 19 next year. I sincerely hope Dave & co can continue to bring over the Apollo guys - I know they aren't getting any younger but that's exactly why we should get them over while they're still with us. Heard rumours of Gene Cernan being a favourite to come over next time out, if that's true it would be fantastic, he would be extremely popular. Would also love to see back: Dave Scott, Alan Bean, Walt Cunningham and Rusty Schweickart - and Gene Kranz would also be a huge coup.

(Photos from last weekend to follow soon.)

BuelMember

Posts: 113From: UKRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 10-17-2012 05:00 PM
Agree with the Gene Kranz one especially!!

Question- Please can somebody help me? I am trying to remember who it was who was giving their lecture and they mentioned how they played Armstrong up by saying something like (after Apollo 10) 'Well Neil, we've walked you almost all the way there' and Armstrong replied 'Yes but those final 50,000 ft aren't trivial'!

Im thinking it was either Dick Gordon or my best bet is Charlie Duke on the Sunday?

carl walkerMember

Posts: 178From: NetherlandsRegistered: Feb 2006

posted 10-18-2012 09:00 AM
That was Dick Gordon on the Sunday... a great talk.

Skyguy48Member

Posts: 78From: ScotlandRegistered: Jun 2011

posted 10-18-2012 06:52 PM

quote:Originally posted by carl walker:That was Dick Gordon on the Sunday... a great talk.

And he said it on the Wednesday evening talk in Glasgow .. DG was in top form!!

robsouthMember

Posts: 607From: West Midlands, UKRegistered: Jun 2005

posted 10-19-2012 10:05 AM
I attended on the Saturday and bumped into a couple of people and generally had a good time. I enjoyed listening to Charlie Duke explaining certain things about his spaceflight at his table but was disappointed that the girl sitting with him didn't let me grab a photo with him. Buzz Aldrin was about to go off for his photo shoot so I didn't get the chance to say much to him but he shook my hand and signed my photo. Richard Gordon was the star of the show, he was glad to chat and have photos taken with him, as shown below.

My prime choice for the next show would be Gene Cernan.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 10-19-2012 05:07 PM
PLEASE try for Gene Cernan at the next event.

posted 10-20-2012 05:12 PM
I hear that Gene is not that keen on long hauls to Europe these days but we can only hope Lynn at the ASF can persuade him to come for one last time.

David BryantMember

Posts: 903From: Norfolk UKRegistered: Feb 2005

posted 10-21-2012 05:13 AM
I assume that Charlie's presidency of the ASF means he might attend again (if there is another astronaut-themed Autographica: it will all come to an end sooner rather than later, I guess....)

Paul23Member

Posts: 771From: South East, UKRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 10-23-2012 05:39 AM
There is a note from Dave, Jason and Paul on the Showmasters forum confirming that the show will be on again next year they do not yet have a date. The note also suggests the event will be in London but this will be confirmed at a later date.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 10-23-2012 09:18 AM
I have heard a rumour that Charlie will not be attending Autographica next year?

robert_lMember

Posts: 95From: Dundee,ScotlandRegistered: Jul 2008

posted 10-23-2012 02:16 PM
I asked him in Pontefract if he would be at Autographica next year and he said no.

albatronMember

Posts: 2103From: Stuart, Florida, USARegistered: Jun 2000

posted 10-24-2012 08:52 AM
I can attest that the organizers constantly try to get all of the astronauts to attend, I've tried in the past to assist them from this side.

These gents are not getting any younger, and their days of long haul flights wear on them. And let's face it, air travel is nothing like it used to be, nor do they have the T-38's available.

Plus while they do fairly well economically at the shows, it's coming to the point they aren't really impressed by that.

That being said, not one of the astro's I've spoken to has EVER had a bad word about their experiences with the event itself, and truly enjoy it while there.

So please know the boys do their best in bringing these gents over. It's just increasingly difficult.

I've had some nasty emails from the odd schmoe berating me for not having a certain guest or another attend Spacefest. Oh but were it that easy.

I really want to get back to some of the Autographicas - they are one of the best.

Apollo14LMPMember

Posts: 188From: UKRegistered: Nov 2007

posted 10-24-2012 10:47 AM
I'm glad I got the chance to meet you when you accompanied Al Worden a few years ago.

Glad to hear that the astronauts have had only good experiences in their encounters with the UK Apollo fans.

Perhaps a telling testament to the Apollo program and the bravery of the astronauts that they still have gangs of fans waiting to have autographs signed, and photos taken with them some 40 years after their missions ended.

Everyone of them a true hero... so glad I have had the chance to meet so many of them!

I wonder if any of them predicted being such celebrities so many years later?

albatronMember

Posts: 2103From: Stuart, Florida, USARegistered: Jun 2000

posted 10-25-2012 03:51 PM
That's very kind of you. I enjoyed it as well and Autographica!

Heroes they are. Without a doubt.

BlackarrowMember

Posts: 2024From: Belfast, United KingdomRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 10-25-2012 04:33 PM
Exactly my thoughts. Each time I meet an Apollo astronaut, I am very conscious of the fact that I am meeting one of my boyhood heroes, and I think of those wonderful days crouched in front of the TV watching them exploring an alien world right in front of my eyes. But heroes still live in the real world.

Eleven days ago, I was sitting in the departure lounge at Birmingham International Airport (UK!) watching Felix Baumgarten preparing for his "giant leap." About ten feet away, staring at the screen with obvious fascination, was a familiar figure with whom I had been chatting just a few hours earlier: Dick Gordon, en route to Glasgow.

Apollo14LMPMember

Posts: 188From: UKRegistered: Nov 2007

posted 10-25-2012 04:44 PM
Could not have put it better myself! Remarkable men! without equal...

Each a role model and ambassador for their great country with a passion for doing the seemingly impossible.

JasonIUPMember

Posts: 161From: PARegistered: Apr 2004

posted 10-25-2012 05:07 PM
For those who had Buzz sign at this show, is his autograph still strong?

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2458From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 10-26-2012 03:50 AM
His autograph is still strong but I noticed he "looped" from the bottom of the "B" to the "u" in a continuous line which I have not seen often in the past.

For what it's worth, a friend was told by one of the minders that Buzz would be "doubling his fee after this show". Yikes.!

Paul23Member

Posts: 771From: South East, UKRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 10-26-2012 03:51 AM
The days of thinking £95 was a bit steep seem a long time ago now!

Paul23Member

Posts: 771From: South East, UKRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 10-27-2012 06:00 AM

quote:Originally posted by JasonIUP:For those who had Buzz sign at this show, is his autograph still strong?

posted 10-28-2012 08:09 AM
For me, one of the highlights of an excellent weekend was the attendance of Ed Mitchell. It was a real privilege to attend his half hour talk, with Q&A, on Project Apollo and particularly Apollo 14.

I had the opportunity to shake his hand afterwards and thank him for his presentation, but on Friday evening, at the wine reception, several people clearly felt the need to treat him like Royalty...